Cook County Woman Sues Doctor After Surgery

A local woman sued a surgeon recently after undergoing surgery to improve a condition involving her upper, or cervical, spine. The cervical spine is the portion of the spine located closest to the neck. The patient initially sought treatment from the doctor due to ongoing neck pain.

According to the lawsuit, the surgeon performing the surgery was negligent in his use of a surgical retractor. A retractor is a surgical instrument used for holding skin or other tissue out of the way during a surgical procedure.

As a result of the doctor’s negligence, the lawsuit alleges that the patient suffered nerve and vascular injuries. Vascular injuries are injuries to a person’s arteries or veins. In addition, the patient claims that the doctor’s negligence caused her to suffer from continued neck pain. The pain then caused the patient to suffer from significant emotional problems.

In the complaint, the plaintiff sued the doctor for more than $50,000. She is seeking to recover for lost wages, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and pain and suffering. She is also alleging that the doctor’s negligence impaired her ability to enjoy the activities of everyday life. The case was filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

If a Doctor Doesn’t Take Reasonable Care, You May Be Eligible for Compensation

Under Illinois law, doctors and other medical professionals are required to provide treatment that meets the accepted standard of care of other health care providers in the same field of medicine. This applies to all types of treatment, whether it be the type of medication a doctor prescribes, the test a doctor orders, or the surgery a doctor performs. When a health care professional fails to adhere to and provide the accepted standard of care, and this failure causes an injury to a patient, the law calls it medical malpractice.

The types of injuries that are caused by medical malpractice vary widely. Some are minor, while others are catastrophic. For more serious injuries, a patient may have to seek treatment from other medical providers that insurance will not pay for. The patient may also have to miss significant time at work or even resign from a job, which translates into lost wages. In Illinois, there is no cap on the amount of damages an injured person can recover as compensation in a medical malpractice action.

In addition to physical injuries, patients injured by medical malpractice can suffer from emotional problems as well. Chronic pain may cause a person to become depressed and be unable to sleep. A missed diagnosis may cause prolonged anxiety. In medical malpractice cases, a patient can recover for emotional distress if the doctor’s negligence is the cause of the distress and the symptoms are severe. In Illinois, a patient’s emotional distress does not have to be accompanied by physical manifestations or even mental health treatment in order to recover damages.

Are You Suffering Because of a Doctor’s Mistakes?

Doctors make mistakes. Some of these mistakes are transitory and easily correctable, but others are not. At Moll Law Group, we understand the complexities of medicine and how medical negligence may entitle you to compensation. We also understand that your physical injuries may be only part of your suffering and that you may be entitled to compensation for your emotional injuries as well. If you think that you or a family member have experienced malpractice at the hands of a doctor, call Moll Law Group for a free consultation. There are time limits for filing medical malpractice lawsuits, so don’t miss the opportunity to have your case evaluated before it is too late. Our phone number is (312) 462-1700.

See More Posts:

Six-Vehicle Chain-Reaction Accident Caused When Semi-Truck Rear-Ends Van>, Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog, October 20, 2015.

Fatal O’Fallon Truck Accident May Have Been Caused by Medical Emergency, Illinois Injury Lawyer Blog, October 18, 2015.